How to Insulate Your Windows This Fall and Winter! - Thrift Diving, by Thrift Diving (Serena Appiah) on YouTube. 2 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Measure the width and height of the window frame, not just the glass, and buy a kit that covers that size.
Wipe the frame with a damp cloth and let it dry completely so the tape will stick.
Peel the backing off the double-sided tape and press it around all four sides of the frame.
Cut a piece of film a few inches wider and taller than the taped area.
Press the film onto the tape starting at the top corner, working along each side and smoothing as you go.
Leave a small gap at one corner until the film is in place, then seal it so trapped air can escape.
Run the hairdryer on high heat about 6 inches from the film, moving steadily across it until the film pulls tight and the wrinkles vanish.
Trim any excess film around the edges with scissors.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the hairdryer moving the whole time so the film does not melt or tear in one spot.
Warm the room first if you can, since tape and film stick and shrink better above about 60 F.
Skip windows you open often, or use a kit made for doors and openable windows.
Press the tape down firmly with your thumb before adding film so cold air cannot sneak under the edge.
Questions
Can I use a normal hairdryer for shrink film?
Yes. A standard hairdryer on its hottest, highest setting is exactly what these kits call for. Hold it back a few inches and keep it moving.
Will the tape damage my paint or window frame?
Usually not on painted wood or vinyl, but test a small hidden spot first. Peel the film off slowly in spring and any sticky residue comes off with warm soapy water.
Does this really lower my heating bill?
Sealing drafty windows reduces heat loss, so most people notice a warmer room and less draft. Results depend on how leaky your windows already are.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
